In the STAR WARS Loop: Rian Johnson?
Deadline is reporting that Looper and Brick director Rian Johnson is in negotiations with Disney and Lucasfilm to take over the main Star Wars trilogy after J.J. Abrams concludes his work on Episode VII.
Johnson, according to the report, is the choice to write and direct Episode VIII and Episode IX back to back, although the story in The Wrap has Johnson only writing the treatment for IX at this point. Which now puts into play the question of Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg, who were originally reported to be working on story details for these installments as well as each taking on a stand-alone film. We now know that Kasdan and Abrams have been re-working the script for Episode VII, while Gary Whitta will write the script for the first solo film, to be directed by Gareth Edwards.
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In addition to his feature film work, Johnson also directed three episodes of Breaking Bad, including “Ozymandias”, considered by many to be the best of the series.
No confirmation from any of the interested parties, of course, although Johnson did hint at a sort-of confirmation when he posted a scene from The Right Stuff — Scott Glenn as Alan Shepherd saying “Dear Lord, please don’t let me —- up.”
We’ve reached out to our contacts at Lucasfilm for verification.
